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Hazard Pay
Allison and her brother Miles have been on their own as long as they remember, but they’re not doing badly— they’ve got two million in an overseas account. The downside is that how they make their living is illegal.
The second drawback is Reid.
A lie seals Allison’s death warrant when Reid decides it’s high time for house-cleaning. She escapes with the aid of an unlikely partner, but Miles isn’t as lucky.
Bobby—Allison’s savior—tells her to run. It’s what Miles would have wanted. He’s right. But she can’t leave and allow her brother’s murderers to carry on with their business.
Murderous vengeance isn’t healthy, Bobby says. It’ll only lead her to a very dark place. Maybe she’d pay his advice more mind if he weren’t enforcement for a drug kingpin.
She doesn’t know when she’ll feel whole again or if it’ll ever happen, but there’s one thing she needs before worrying about healing: blood.
The second drawback is Reid.
A lie seals Allison’s death warrant when Reid decides it’s high time for house-cleaning. She escapes with the aid of an unlikely partner, but Miles isn’t as lucky.
Bobby—Allison’s savior—tells her to run. It’s what Miles would have wanted. He’s right. But she can’t leave and allow her brother’s murderers to carry on with their business.
Murderous vengeance isn’t healthy, Bobby says. It’ll only lead her to a very dark place. Maybe she’d pay his advice more mind if he weren’t enforcement for a drug kingpin.
She doesn’t know when she’ll feel whole again or if it’ll ever happen, but there’s one thing she needs before worrying about healing: blood.
Kindle Edition
First published April 18, 2013
2 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
About the author
Melissa Simonson
10 books71 followersSlave/mother to a herd of animals, Loch Ness monster enthusiast, breaker of many a wine glass.
Do not challenge her to Harry Potter trivia unless you wish to be slaughtered.
Do not challenge her to Harry Potter trivia unless you wish to be slaughtered.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 7, 2013
HAZARD PAY by Melissa Simonson is Book 2 in John Maxwell series that can also be read as a stand-alone book.
The cast of characters here is different from DOUBLES (Book 1), except for Agent John Maxwell who is in charge of the investigation. This time a girl named Allison seeks to avenge her brother Miles’s brutal murder. Miles was shot by the drug dealers he and Allison had produced drugs for, and now all Allison wants is blood and revenge.
During the day of Miles’s death, Allison is saved from the drug dealers’ boss Reid by Reid’s right-hand man Robert Rosario (or Bobby), and they unleash their killing spree (as Bobby also has some issues with Reid and Co.). Meanwhile, Agent Maxwell is trying to catch Allison, Bobby, and Reid.
Though HAZARD PAY is different from DOUBLES in content, it is as great a book as Book 1. I wasn’t bored for a single minute reading about the drug cartel and business; the descriptions were easy to visualize, and it seemed like I was watching a movie.
I enjoyed descriptive passages like this:
“We were far enough away to avoid the blast, but a rapid rush of blistering warmth blew over the Corolla, heat waves shimmering behind the windshield, dust motes sparkling in the light of the explosion.”
It’s as if I’m right there, watching the scene with my own eyes.
Allison’s chapters are written from 1st point of view while the rest is in the 3rd point of view. I must say I enjoyed both the manner of writing and the plot line. Melissa Simonson has done a great job here. And the ending … I realized you can never guess how this author’s books will end.
HAZARD PAY is a roller coaster of a read! I highly recommend it and definitely look forward to the next book by Melissa Simonson!
The cast of characters here is different from DOUBLES (Book 1), except for Agent John Maxwell who is in charge of the investigation. This time a girl named Allison seeks to avenge her brother Miles’s brutal murder. Miles was shot by the drug dealers he and Allison had produced drugs for, and now all Allison wants is blood and revenge.
During the day of Miles’s death, Allison is saved from the drug dealers’ boss Reid by Reid’s right-hand man Robert Rosario (or Bobby), and they unleash their killing spree (as Bobby also has some issues with Reid and Co.). Meanwhile, Agent Maxwell is trying to catch Allison, Bobby, and Reid.
Though HAZARD PAY is different from DOUBLES in content, it is as great a book as Book 1. I wasn’t bored for a single minute reading about the drug cartel and business; the descriptions were easy to visualize, and it seemed like I was watching a movie.
I enjoyed descriptive passages like this:
“We were far enough away to avoid the blast, but a rapid rush of blistering warmth blew over the Corolla, heat waves shimmering behind the windshield, dust motes sparkling in the light of the explosion.”
It’s as if I’m right there, watching the scene with my own eyes.
Allison’s chapters are written from 1st point of view while the rest is in the 3rd point of view. I must say I enjoyed both the manner of writing and the plot line. Melissa Simonson has done a great job here. And the ending … I realized you can never guess how this author’s books will end.
HAZARD PAY is a roller coaster of a read! I highly recommend it and definitely look forward to the next book by Melissa Simonson!
August 5, 2013
I first came across the enigmatic FBI agent John Maxwell when I read Doubles. Easy decision to read Hazard Pay, and I wasn't disappointed. This is a brilliant well written crime thriller that's realistic. A story that had me gripped, had me silently cheering after Allison even though she had crossed to the wrong side of the law. When Allison's brother Miles is murdered she seeks all out revenge! The story grabs you from the start, the closeness between brother and sister, the crappy way they earn their money. It's horrific and sad. But I thoroughly enjoyed this book and with Agent Maxwell hot on Allison's heels, you get to hear the inner working mind of this sublime man, a man who has me completely obsessed! This author has an amazing talent of writing believable characters that will capture you. A tale of drugs, corruption and betrayal. Greed, murder, love and sadness. Cleverly written, a must read!! Admirable.
August 22, 2015
Excellent crime plot
Details and subplots amaze, surprise and keep the pages turning in this emotional read. Just when you want to hate the characters, you find yourself loving them.
Details and subplots amaze, surprise and keep the pages turning in this emotional read. Just when you want to hate the characters, you find yourself loving them.
June 10, 2013
Stunning, engrossing and fully real, a Crime Thriller beyond any other I have read in years!
As I began my read of Hazard Pay I knew I was in for a gripping ride. Somehow Simonson has this ability to make the plots and characters within her novels more tangible than any other writing I have read before. In her first book, Doubles, I was in the basement and a part of the abduction, and in Hazard Pay, I so fully felt the realness of the Drug Cartel and the events transpiring. Once again FBI SSA Maxwell was such a pleasure to get into the mind of and I cannot wait for his appearance in Simonson’s next book.
With Simonson’s first release, Doubles, she had me as a reader. With Hazard Pay I was trapped gladly within the page.
I had plans to read another author after Hazard Pay, but I can’t get enough of Simonson! I started last night, and am already 20% through her other published novel, Blood Echo.
If you haven’t yet read Simonson, you just don’t understand the taste you’re missing. This is a meat that you’ll take down to the bone and then be hungry scavenging for more.
As I began my read of Hazard Pay I knew I was in for a gripping ride. Somehow Simonson has this ability to make the plots and characters within her novels more tangible than any other writing I have read before. In her first book, Doubles, I was in the basement and a part of the abduction, and in Hazard Pay, I so fully felt the realness of the Drug Cartel and the events transpiring. Once again FBI SSA Maxwell was such a pleasure to get into the mind of and I cannot wait for his appearance in Simonson’s next book.
With Simonson’s first release, Doubles, she had me as a reader. With Hazard Pay I was trapped gladly within the page.
I had plans to read another author after Hazard Pay, but I can’t get enough of Simonson! I started last night, and am already 20% through her other published novel, Blood Echo.
If you haven’t yet read Simonson, you just don’t understand the taste you’re missing. This is a meat that you’ll take down to the bone and then be hungry scavenging for more.
May 15, 2013
Really enjoyed this book, was a good thrller that kept my interest from the start. I read this so quickly as I could not wait to see the conclusion. Its hard for me to go into detail without giving away the whole thing so I won't spoil it, just read this you will not regreat it and anything else from this author. I also loved that John from Doubles was back for this book, I like hearing his thoughts and points of view, he is a really interesting if not complicated character. Still holds second to Doubles for me as I do enjoy reading about serial killers (morbid I know) even though you could say the MC is a serial killer in this but still not the same in my eyes. Dying to read the next book by this author. HURRY UP XX
March 23, 2016
Hazard Pay
This is one of the best crime novels that I have read in a long time. I love the way the author lets the reader go inside the minds of the characters. This allows you to see everything from multiple view points and makes the story come alive as you begin to feel what they feel. Great writing.
This is one of the best crime novels that I have read in a long time. I love the way the author lets the reader go inside the minds of the characters. This allows you to see everything from multiple view points and makes the story come alive as you begin to feel what they feel. Great writing.
December 5, 2015
You can never be paid enough Hazard Pay
The main female character gets to you almost from the start and breaks your heart at the end. The confident FBI agent has his own demons, but understands the pressures of the demons in her life.
Strong multiple characters and a great read!
The main female character gets to you almost from the start and breaks your heart at the end. The confident FBI agent has his own demons, but understands the pressures of the demons in her life.
Strong multiple characters and a great read!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews